After a great offseason thus far, the New York Mets are expanding their rotation.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning has agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Mets, which is subject to a physical and includes $1 million in possible bonuses.
Canning joined the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 after being selected in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. Before spending a large portion of the 2021 season in Triple-A, he earned a Gold Glove Award in 2020 and achieved a career-best 3.99 ERA in 11 starts.
Due to a stress fracture in his back and difficulties recovering from the injury, he missed the entire 2022 season.
In 2023, Canning made a comeback to the mound, going 24 games with a 4.32 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He started 31 games for the Angels last season and finished with a 5.19 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
The Angels traded Canning to the Atlanta Braves after the regular season ended in return for Jorge Soler.
Canning became a free agent after the Braves non-tendered him in November, which allowed him to sign with New York.
Due to his five years of service, Canning will not be sent to the lower levels without his permission and will have the opportunity to contend for a position in the rotation.
With the acquisition of Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract and Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million agreement, the Mets have been aggressive in adding pitching this offseason.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that New York intends to turn the former Yankees bullpen into a starter.
